An initiative of the Stephen R. Bronfman Foundation 

 

The C-Vert project is an initiative of the Stephen R. Bronfman Foundation. This Foundation, created in 1998, contributes to the improvement of the quality of life by investing in initiatives in these main areas of interest:  the environment, education, individual, social and cultural development, health and Jewish community life. In 2004, the Foundation commissioned a study to search out and determine the scope of programs engaging youth in environmental and community activities. As a direct result of this study, the Foundation decided, in 2005, to put into action its' first pilot project: the C-Vert program.

 

 

An urban ecology project

 

C-Vert is designed to strengthen school and environmental engagement.  It provides youths from inner city neighborhoods environmental learning and action opportunities which are unique.

The C-Vert project engages young adults 14 to 16 years old by providing wilderness experiences, practical workshops in environmental and ecological issues, as well as initiating community projects led by the youth themselves in their own neighborhoods.

C-Vert provides a unique opportunity for young people to learn, to decide and to act.  C-Vert action plans allow youth environmental priorities to become youth environmental actions, thereby making a positive impact within the community.

 

C-Vert's story so far...

 

How can young people from inner city neighborhoods become environmental leaders? By participating, over a period of several months, in nature experiences, environmental workshops, community consultations and concrete community initiatives conceived and lead by the youths themselves!  C-Vert permits today's young to acquire knowledge of the environment, to develop leadership skills, and to take concrete steps towards a better environment all the while bettering their own communities.

 

Here is how C-Vert evolved:

2005:  A unique educational and leadership process that targets nature, environmental workshops with experts and action projects contributing to neighbourhood sustainability is carried out in Saint-Michel, with 15 young people aged 14 to 16. Partnerships were created with organizations such as la TOHU, la cité des arts du cirque and the Ys of Quebec. We also develop financial and political partnerships with several organizations, including both the city of Montréal and the borough of Villeray - Saint-Michel - Parc-Extension to ensure political awareness of youth environmental actions.

2006-2007: The results of the pilot project surpass expectations. The young people show that they integrate environmental knowledge and leadership skills by addressing important environmental issues including green spaces, public transit and waste reduction. They engage their peers and the community and they make their findings and their proposals known within an action plan that is presented publically to city officials. These proposals are firmly rooted in knowledge and actions, including a boreal forest initiative linked to the planting of 850 trees and a transportation initiative featuring a Montreal-Quebec bike expedition, a used-bike collection (a community first) and a 600 name petition for new bike paths chosen by C-Vert youth.

2007-2008: The Foundation and its partners invest in 2 new projects, including a group in the pilot-project area and one in the Côte-des-Neiges area. New partners include the YM-YWHA and the borough of Côte-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Both groups follow the C-Vert approach (nature expeditions, environmental workshops, leadership skills) and lead many environmental community projects.  In July 2008, these include environmental workshops in children day camps, managing an organic garden and testing for water pollution in the Saint-Lawrence.  Young people also take part in a bike expedition to the YMCA's Camp Kanawana in the Saint-Sauveur area.   

2008-2009: There are now three new C-Vert projects this year; those in Villeray - Saint-Michel - Parc-Extension and Côte-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and, for the first time, a group in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve community.  New partners include the Mercier - Hochelaga - Maisonneuve borough and the David Suzuki Foundation  Many of the young people who participated in the earlier editions of the project continue to meet in "C-Vert+".  Meanwhile, the three new C-Vert groups are now preparing many  projects! Visit our internet site often to know about these new inititiatives and to find out how you too can be involved!